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Time for the Easy Option - Ben VorlichAfter a somewhat physically testing long weekend in the Cairngorms (
A Mammoth Three Day Cairngorm Adventure) I was well due a rest weekend – I guess one hill counts as a rest weekend, right?
Truth be told it wasn’t always planned as a one hill weekend but in the end, I am glad it was. Callum, Connor, Emma and I had originally set off with the plan to do Ben Vorlich and if all going well, we would also include Ben Vane.
Callum collected me from Stirling and we waited slighter longer at Inveruglas than planned for Connor and Emma to arrive thanks to some car issues. By the time we eventually did head off we were always fighting a losing battle to have enough comfortable daylight, but we make quick progress up the well improved path.
I say “well improved” because Ben Vorlich is one of only a few Munros I had been up in the years that precede my active attempt to do them all - I wasn’t trying the first time so it never counted (the internet isn’t the best for sarcasm so just for clarity that’s a joke).
Anyway, there isn’t a huge amount that can be said about the route up Ben Vorlich other than it is a well-defined path with tremendous views all around, so I will let the photos do the talking to the top.
Route up – Loch Sloy Dam
Towards A' Chrois (left) Ben Vane (right)
Loch Lomond (& zoomed)
Top in sight
Views at the top
Once we were at the top there were a few mixed feelings amongst us as to whether Ben Vane was as easy as it looked. It didn’t look easy for the record. We decided the most “sensible” solution would be to take the most direct route off Ben Vorlich down towards the dam and then we would have the
option to tackle Ben Vane.
Straight down from here
Lunch stop
As we stopped and ate lunch just before the dam my legs were beginning to struggle. I thought I had fully recovered from our Braemar to Aviemore adventure but that was probably only wishful thinking, my feet and knees were both showing signs of tiredness.
We agreed that we just couldn’t be bothered with Ben Vane – a decision I was glad of. This meant we could spend a little longer relaxing in the sun and eating lunch at a leisurely pace (rather than my traditional, wolf down a sandwich to save some time).
Still I fancied a walk across the dam! 

Light at the end of the tunnel
Dam
After crossing and exploring a bit of the dam we re-joined the main path and headed back to the car in plenty of time before dark. All in all, it was a good easy day out, maybe not as difficult as I typically seem to make my outings, but the views were rewarding and beats sitting inside.
Spoiler alert – the next Munro I ventured out after Ben Vorlich, did by complete chance happen to be Ben Vane, so I guess I did do them together, just with weeks in between!
It is also safe to say Ben Vorlich; with its easy access and splendid views is most definitely one I will do time and time again.
Thanks for reading
Andy